Method of operating an online game using consolidated game objects

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for playing a multi-player, online game in which players build virtual worlds by placing game objects into a game space and may consolidate multiple game objects into a single object such that the new consolidated object maintains some or all of the features of the original, separate objects but occupies less game space.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of operating an online gameand, more specifically, to an online game in which players consolidatemultiple game objects into a single game object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer games have grown from simple single-player, text-based gamesplayable on stand-alone desktop computers to massive multi-player gamesusing high-resolution graphics playable across global networks.

The newest and most popular computer games allow members of onlinesocial networks to play games in which they build their own virtualworlds and share them with each other. For example, an online socialnetwork called Facebook offers such builder-type online social games toover 900 million members, such as Zynga's Cityville, LOLapp's RavenswoodFair, and Digital Chocolate's Millionaire City.

In builder-type online games, players build their virtual worlds byplacing game objects into a game space. For example, in a city-buildergame buildings must be placed within the defined borders of the city.Over time, the game may grow crowded with game objects. For example, adensely populated city may contain dozens if not hundreds of buildings.

Crowded game spaces may reduce game performance as the network tries totransmit data and the computer struggles to display all of the gameobjects. Players may also become frustrated with the lack of availablegame space to place more game objects. Moreover, the sheer number ofgame objects may make the game space difficult or impossible tocomprehend.

The issues related to crowded game spaces are often magnified by theaddition of more game space. Initially, the additional game space allowsplayers to spread out existing game objects and add new ones. Over time,however, the expanded game space fills up again and suffers from all ofthe prior issues on a larger scale.

Thus, there is a need for methods of playing builder-type online gameswherein players continue to build their virtual worlds without crowdingthe game space with game objects.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides methods for playing a multi-player,online game in which players build virtual worlds by placing gameobjects into a game space and may consolidate multiple game objects intoa single object such that the new consolidated object maintains some orall of the features of the original, separate objects but occupies lessgame space.

In a preferred embodiment, a player pays a predetermined price toconsolidate multiple game objects into a single game object such thatthe new consolidated object provides all the in-game benefits of theoriginal, separate objects but occupies less game space. For example, aplayer pays 10 credits to consolidate 4 businesses that occupy 16 gamespaces into a single mixed-use facility that produces the same in-gamebenefits as the original 4 businesses but fits into 6 game spaces.

Alternatively, a preferred embodiment requires consolidation of gameobjects from the same family type. For example, a player may onlyconsolidate businesses of any type with other businesses of any type.

In a further embodiment, consolidation only occurs between the gameobjects of the same sub-family type. For example, a player may onlyconsolidate food stores with other food stores and apartment buildingswith other apartment buildings.

In a further embodiment, consolidation only occurs between predeterminedsubset of game objects. For example, a player may only consolidate gameobjects marked with a special “consolidate” icon.

In a further embodiment, consolidation does not require any payment butrather the completion of predetermined game actions. For example, aplayer may only consolidate game objects upon achieving a predeterminedlevel of experience within the game.

In a further embodiment, consolidation requires a combination of paymentand predetermined game actions. For example, a player may onlyconsolidate game objects upon paying a predetermined amount andachieving a predetermined level of experience within the game.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object withall of the features and benefits of the original, separate objects. Forexample, a player may combine four apartment buildings that each house50 people to create a consolidated apartment building that holds 200people.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object withsome of the features and benefits of the original, separate objects. Forexample, a player may combine 4 apartment buildings that each house 50people to create a consolidated apartment building that holds 160people.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object withfeatures and benefits greater than the original, separate objects. Forexample, a player may combine 4 apartment buildings that each house 50people to create a consolidated apartment building that holds 300people.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object withfeatures and benefits different from the original, separate objects. Forexample, a player may combine 4 businesses that each produce 50 pairs ofshoes to create a consolidated business that produces 200 pairs ofboots.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object thatfits into a predetermined game space relative to the number and size ofthe original, separate objects. For example, a player may combine 4buildings that each occupy 4 game spaces to create a consolidatedbuilding that occupies 75% of the original objects, or 12 game spaces.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in a single object thatfits into a predetermined game space without regard to the number orsize of the original, separate objects. For example, a player maycombine any number of buildings that each occupy any number of gamespaces to create a consolidated building that always occupies 6 gamespaces.

In a further embodiment, consolidation results in an award. For example,a player may collect an award based upon the number of game objectsconsolidated, the number of game spaces used by the original objects,the type of game objects consolidated, and/or any other predetermined orrandom factor.

In a further embodiment, consolidation occurs at the discretion of theplayer. For example, a player may decide when and where to consolidateobjects in their game space without regard to any external rules orrestrictions.

In a further embodiment, consolidation occurs automatically upon theoccurrence of predetermined criteria. For example, multiple game objectsmay be automatically consolidated once a game space in more than 90%occupied.

In a further embodiment, additional game objects may be added to analready consolidated game object. For example, a player may add 2 morebuildings to a game object formed by the prior consolidation of 4buildings.

In a further embodiment, game objects located anywhere in game space maybe consolidated. For example, a player may combine city buildingslocated anywhere within the city borders.

In a further embodiment, game objects must be located in predeterminedlocations relative to each other or the game space to be consolidated.For example, a player may only consolidate buildings located adjacent toeach other within the city borders.

In a further embodiment, game objects may be consolidated acrossmultiple game spaces. For example, two players may consolidate buildingslocated in each of their game spaces into a single building.

In a further embodiment, game objects consolidated across multiple gamespaces may appear in any or all of these game spaces. Moreover, thesemulti-game space consolidated objects may offer additional benefits orfeatures depending on the number of game-spaces contributing gameobjects.

In a further embodiment, additional game objects may be added by newplayers to an already consolidated game formed by other players. Forexample, a fifth player may add a building to a game object formed bythe prior consolidation of buildings from each of 4 other players' gamespaces.

In a further embodiment, consolidation occurs in games playable acrossthe Internet. For example, members of the Facebook online social networkmay access games via the Internet in which they may consolidate gameobjects.

In a further embodiment, consolidation occurs in games playable on anynetwork or platform that supports electronic data transfer. For example,owners of cellular phones may access games via the cellular data networkin which they may consolidate game objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of six game objects placed into a gamespace.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of one consolidated game object in a gamespace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a player builds avirtual world comprised of game objects placed into a game space. At anypoint, the player consolidate any two or more of the same type of objectinto a single object which maintains all of the same features andbenefits of the original, individual game objects but occupies less gamespace.

FIG. 1 shows a game space 100 divided into a grid with equal sectionsand presented in an isometric view. The game space 100 contains sixsmall housing units 102-112 with each housing unit occupying 1 gridspaces by 1.0 grid spaces for a total of 6 grid occupied spaces. A smallhousing unit provides shelter for 4 inhabitants and, therefore, the 6small housing units 102-112 combine to provide shelter for 24inhabitants of the player's virtual world.

To place the small housing units 102-112 into the game space 100, theplayer used a mouse (not shown) to control an arrow indicator (notshown) to select housing units from a game menu (not shown). Onceselected, the small housing units can be positioned into any suitableempty positions in the game space 100 by clicking on the desiredlocation with the mouse (not shown). In FIG. 1, all of the small housingunits 102-112 have been positioned adjacent to each other.Alternatively, the small housing units 102-112 could have been selectedand placed in any suitable manner and positioned in any location in thegame space 100.

FIG. 2 shows the game space 100 with all of the same features as FIG. 1except for the consolidation of all six small housing units 102-112. Thegame space now only contains the one large housing unit 122 whichoccupies 2.3 grid spaces by 2 grid spaces for a total occupied area of 4grid spaces. The large housing unit 122 provides the same benefit as allsix of the small housing units 102-112 by providing shelter for 24inhabitants of the player's virtual world. Moreover, the large housingunit 122 occupies 66.67% of the game space occupied by the six smallhousing units 102-112.

To consolidate the small housing units 102-112, the player used a mouse(not shown) to control an arrow indicator (not shown) to select thesmall housing units 102-112 on the game space 100 and then again usedthe mouse to select the consolidation option from a game menu (notshown). Alternatively, any input device and/or indicator may be used tocontrol game functions, such as selection of game objects forconsolidation.

Following consolidation, the large housing unit 122 can be positionedinto any suitable empty positions in the game space 100. In FIG. 2, thelarge housing unit 122 has been positioned in the approximate locationas the pre-consolidated small housing units 102-112 were located inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the large housing unit 122 could have been placedin any suitable manner and positioned in any location in the game space100.

NETWORK & SYSTEMS

The present invention may be implemented on computer-based networksusing systems comprised of interconnected client and server devices. Ina preferred embodiment, server and client devices operate across theInternet using one or more of the following networks: wired, wireless,satellite, and cellular communication. Client devices are connected tothe networks via a network service provider or wireless carrier; serversare connected to the networks via modems, routers and/or networkingswitches.

Clients. A client device is generally computer-based equipment such as adesktop computer, laptop computer, computer tablet, personal digitalassistant, mobile phone, smart phone, mobile gaming device, interactivetelevision, and/or console game system that is managed and controlled byan operating system, such as LINUX, UNIX, Microsoft Windows, AppleMacintosh, and/or other proprietary or open source operating system.

To facilitate communication with a network, a client device includes anetwork interface, such as an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), wi-fi (802.11), orwi-max (802.16). In addition, a client device may also include, but notbe limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), system memory (DRAM),video memory, video display, hard drive, I/O ports, and/or keyboard.

A client device may execute one or more applications, such as a webbrowser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, MozillaFirefox, and Apple Safari) and plug-ins, languages, or other extensions(e.g, Flash Media Player, Unity 3D, AJAX, XML, HTML, Javascript), toperform game-related functions and/or access data from the serversavailable via one or more networks.

Servers. Servers are computing devices that execute applications usinglanguages such as PHP, ASP, C#, C, C++, CGI, PERL, XML, Java, JSP, SQL,PYTHON, and RUBY. Similar to client devices, servers must communicatewith a network via a network interface, such as an Ethernet (IEEE802.3), wi-fi (802.11), or wi-max (802.16). In addition, a server devicemay also include, but not be limited to, a central processing unit(CPU), system memory (DRAM), video memory, video display, hard drive,I/O ports, and/or keyboard.

Servers also store digital data as data files or records and, in manycases, organize the digital data into a variety of databases, such asrelational and object-oriented databases. A database is logicalframework that allows files and records to be created, accessed, edited,and/or deleted with maximum accuracy and speed. Digital data may takemany forms, including: text, numbers, 2D and 3D images, graphics,animations, audio, video, and/or other media.

SCOPE & SPIRIT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments. Thepresent invention, however, is not limited to these particularembodiments, as the invention is capable of being practiced and carriedout in various ways. For example, new features may be added to anexisting embodiment or features from two or more embodiments may becombined to produce a new embodiment. Further, features mentioned in anyembodiment may be interchanged with similar features not mentioned thatperform the same or similar functions. And, finally, the phraseology andterminology used to explain the embodiments are only descriptive andshould not be regarded as limiting. The claims, therefore, seek to coverall features and advantages that fall within the true spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1. A computer-based network comprised of at least one server and clientdevice with each device containing at least one processor capable ofoperating and displaying a game in which: a. players to place aplurality of virtual objects into a virtual world, such that each saidvirtual object occupies space within the virtual world, and b. playersto combine the plurality of said virtual objects placed into the virtualworld into a single virtual object such that: i. the new consolidatedvirtual object retains some or all of the features of thepre-consolidated virtual objects; and ii. the new consolidated virtualobject occupies less space than the space occupied by thepre-consolidated virtual objects.